Authorities in the Dominican Republic expanded their August 2026 crackdown on illegal gambling with a new inspection operation targeting horse-betting agencies in Yamasá, Monte Plata province, where several slot machines and other gaming devices were seized from establishments allegedly operating without the required permits.
The operation also exposed a key regulatory issue; authorities identified premises that failed to comply with the mandatory distance limits established for this type of gambling business. Under Dominican regulations, slot-machine halls must maintain a minimum distance of 500 meters from certain sensitive locations and other authorized gaming venues. Members of the Dominican Republic Army provided security support during the inspections. The Yamasá action adds to a broader national enforcement strategy that produced two major operations just days earlier.
On August 13, the Central Intelligence Directorate (DINTEL) seized 50 gaming machines — 40 roulette units and 10 digital machines — during operations across Greater Santo Domingo, the National District, San Cristóbal and San Pedro de Macorís. Authorities also retained 12 high-powered motorcycles allegedly linked to illegal street racing. A day earlier, on August 12, the Hermanas Mirabal Prosecutor’s Office, headed by Chief Prosecutor Zoila Rodríguez Ynfante, destroyed 34 illegal slot machines, along with 20 bags, 10 scales, nine number printers, eight strainers, six scissors, five radios, two cameras, two toy guns and one DVR.
Magín Díaz
The national enforcement framework involves the Directorate of Casinos and Games of Chance, under the Ministry of Finance and Economy headed by Magín Díaz, as well as prosecutors, the National Police, DINTEL, the DNCD and other security agencies. DINTEL is headed by General Ángel García Jaime, while the National Police is led by Major General Andrés Modesto Cruz Cruz.
Andrés Modesto Cruz Cruz
The legal framework includes Laws 351-64, 96-88, 29-06 and 155-17, Regulation 252-89, and Resolutions 217-2025, 161-2026 and 184-2026. For licensed operators, the regulatory cost is substantial, a slot-hall license costs DOP7.3 million, an inspection DOP116,074.31, a casino slot-operation license around DOP1.55 million, and slot-machine brand certification DOP1.1 million.
Enforcement has intensified throughout 2026. On March 16, authorities destroyed 2,038 illegal gaming devices, while since 2020 the country has accumulated more than 18,000 confiscations, increasing pressure on unlicensed operators competing against businesses subject to technical, AML, tax and licensing requirements.
